Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn attends ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting amid border tensions

PHNOM PENH, Jan 28, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has travelled to the Philippines to attend a regional ASEAN meeting where the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute is expected to feature prominently.

Prak Sokhonn left Phnom Penh on January 27 to lead the Cambodian delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and related sessions in Cebu City, held from January 28–29.

The meetings, hosted by Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, are being held under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together” and will review progress since the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia last October.

As ASEAN chair for 2026, the Philippines is setting priorities for the bloc, including advancing its long-term goal of building an integrated ASEAN Community by 2045.

Ministers are expected to discuss ASEAN’s external relations, regional security, and pressing developments, including the situation in Myanmar and follow-up actions from last month’s special meeting on the Cambodia–Thailand border clashes.

On the sidelines, Prak Sokhonn is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with counterparts to strengthen cooperation.

Cambodian officials said the visit underscores the country’s commitment to ASEAN’s central role in promoting stability and dialogue, and its support for resolving disputes peacefully through multilateral engagement.